David Akers: Even by Barber Half Dollar standards, this issue is very underrated. In Gem condition, it is very close in rarity to the 1907-S, which in recent years has been touted, and correctly so, as being a very rare issue. However, for some reason the 1908-S has usually been overlooked and has seldom, if ever, received mention as being an issue of any particular significance or rarity. Actually, it is very difficult to find in any mint state grade, even the lower ones, and Gems are very rare.